SPECIAL
Profile:
The term 'Hyderabadi stylist' is one that is not new to Indian
cricket. First popularised by the late ML Jaisimha, an attacking
batsman, the mantle was taken over for many years by
Mohammed Azharuddin. Today, VVS Laxman has honourably
made the title his own. A spate of high scores in the 1999-2000
Ranji Trophy season, including ten centuries in as many firstclass matches, confirmed Laxman's pedigree and penchant for
tall scores. In Test cricket however, apart from a sparkling 167
against Australia at Sydney in a losing cause, Laxman had done
little to show that he was a world-beater. All that changed
dramatically when the Australians toured India in early 2001.
Going into the series with a Test average of just under 28,
Laxman was not a major cause of concern for the Aussies. In a
rare display of attacking yet consistent batting, Laxman notched
up 503 runs at an average of over 83. More than the sheer
volume of runs scored, it was the manner in which he made his
record breaking 281 at Kolkata that will remain etched in memory
for years to come. It was a flawless innings under pressure that
changed the complexion of a whole series, and signaled the
emergence of a new batting hero. Laxman's 281 surpassed Sunil
Gavaskar's record innings of 236 not out against West Indies at
Madras in 1983 as the highest Test score by an Indian.
Riding on the back of Laxman's efforts, India pulled off a
sensational 2-1 win in a closely contested series. Spurred on by
the success in Tests, Laxman was a changed man in the onedayers, scoring his maiden ton in the fifth match against the
Aussies at Goa. In short, the series against Australia changed
Laxman's destiny as a cricketer. Rather, Laxman rewrote Indian
cricket's destiny at the expense of the Australians.
With critics incessantly hounding him for not batting with
consistency, Laxman departed for the West Indies only because
Virender Sehwag was injured. And once again he defied the
odds, topping the batting charts with 474 runs at an average of
79. He was the Man of the Match in India's win at Port of Spain
with scores of 69* and 74.(Anand Vasu)